This week, instead of my normal article based on a theme of the lesson, I thought I would give you a look into the teacher side of preparation. As some of you know I have a ministry that provides training to Sabbath school leaders and adult class teachers throughout our denomination.

Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com

This coming Sabbath I have been invited to assist a church in Columbus, Ohio. Along with the staff training, I will lead the Sabbath school lesson discussion in place of the sermon during the 11:00 service. That might sound unorthodox, but there is no better time to lead a bible-based group discussion than during the time when the church as a whole is gathered. 

This week’s lesson on “Get Up and Walk!” Faith and Healing is a great topic for a stimulating discussion. I find that stories of Christ’s interaction with are powerful case studies in righteousness. The stories of Jesus and the leper, the centurion and the paralytic are full of examples of His care and concern for humanity. One of our goals as teachers is to help show the relevant application for today. How do these stories apply to us?

As the author of the lesson pointed out, Christ’s actually touching the leper shows His personal interest in the individual. I’m certain we’ll explore that. I’ll also talk about how the disease of leprosy correlates with the disease of sin.

The topic of faith and healing is one with which everyone can identify. Many of us have struggled with the issue of faith during difficult times. I know that many in the audience on Sabbath will know first-hand of crying out to God during times of extreme duress. The stories we will cover can provide reassurance and help to develop our faith.

But beyond that I want to take the discussion to another level. What do we do when it appears God is not answering our prayers for help? What do we do when the answer is No, or worse yet, there appears to be no answer?

One explanation we’ll touch on is pretty straight-forward. It’s the matter of cherished sin. David, who had a lot of experience with sin and confession, gives one of the clearest explanations for unanswered prayer.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” Psalm 66:18

This will present an opportunity to talk about having a heart free of offences towards God and man.  There are many supporting texts to help drive this point home. But with this point we must be careful to not lose the purpose of our confession – reconciliation with God. God wants us to live in harmony with Him. Our repentance and confession are but steps in the path towards being in harmony with God.

The more difficult part of this line of discussion is what to do when there appears to be no answer from God. Has God forsaken us? Is God too busy with others that He has no time for us? Is there something in our lives that has caused Him to turn away? Those are the types of questions that are harder to answer. But there is an answer.

To prepare for this line of discussion I turn to my favorite source for background information, www.whiteestate.org. In my preparation, I always include a search of the E.G. White writings on the subject at hand, and if you are a teacher you should too. One of the online books available on this site is Christ Object Lessons. For background on answered prayer I strongly recommend you read the chapter entitled “Asking to Give,” an eye-opening chapter examining the story of the importunate neighbor. It’s from this story that we get one of the most famous promises in the bible:

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9

During my research for further insight into this question I came upon the following quotation from Ellen White. It’s a little lengthy but it’s packed with so much truth that I did not want to omit anything. I’m certain that I will explore this line of thought during our Sabbath school discussion.

“When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and shortsighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” Steps to Christ, page 92

I’ll leave you now with another promise assuring us of God’s faithfulness to His people. I hope you have a wonderful Sabbath and a stimulating, inspiring and encouraging lesson discussion during your Sabbath school.

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” Psalm 34:10

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does “faith in God” mean to you?
• Is strong faith a gift for some or is it something that anyone can develop? Explain your answer.
• If one gets all the things they pray for, is that not evidence that God hears their prayers? Why yes or no?
• Is it true that if a person is in dire straits financially, there is something wrong in their relationship with God? Explain your answer?
• Does Jesus still heal people as He did during the bible days? Why yes or no?
• Is it true that if we were more faithful to God there would be more miraculous healing in our midst? Explain your answer.
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: If I faithfully serve God He will grant me anything that I desire. Explain your answer.

We close this week’s lesson a snippet of Jesus’ interaction with the man let down through the roof. It gives great insight to the priority of life.

For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  And he arose and departed to his house. Matthew 9:5-7

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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